S is for Severndroog Castle & Oxleas Wood + Social

Join us for a coffee in Oxleas Wood, then a short stroll through the woods to Severndroog Castle and its viewing platform, and finishing up in a nearby pub. Severndroog Castle is an 18th-century Gothic tower nestled in the ancient woodland of Shooter’s Hill, southeast London. With its striking architecture, rich history and far-reaching rooftop views, it is a rare Georgian folly open to the public.The ‘castle’ was commissioned by Lady James, probably as a memorial to her husband, and designed by architect Richard Jupp in 1784. Severndroog enjoyed extensive renovations in 2013-2014, when rooms featuring beautiful ornate ceilings and chandeliers were restored to their original state. Admission to Severndroog Castle includes the castle rooms, where volunteers will tell you the story of Sir William and Lady James, the building’s uses over the years and the campaign to save the castle. Your ticket also includes access to the Viewing Platform, where you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of London and the seven surrounding counties. Please note that these are only accessed via a spiral staircase, with 86 steps to the top. 🧛‍♂️ A Dracula Daily fan? Some of our members are reading the book Dracula and this is the closest we can get to a castle in the woods in London 😄 Read more here: https://severndroogcastle.org.uk/visit/ MEET DETAILS: FROM 11.00am: MEET AT OXLEAS WOOD CAFE Address: Crown Woods Lane, London SE18 3JA Look out for the LoMAZ sign on the cafe table and host/s who will be wearing LoMAZ badges. 11.45AM: LEAVE CAFE TO WALK THROUGH OXLEAS WOOD 12.15-1.15pm: SEVERNDROOG CASTLE AND VIEWING PLATFORM Please note that the castle rooms and viewing platform are only accessed via a spiral staircase, with 86 steps to the top. This is NOT a castle with lots of rooms - it is a folly with a couple of rooms and a viewing platform. 1.30pm: PUB SOCIAL (optional) We'll head to a local pub for a social chit chat over drinks. Location tbc 48 hours before event. TICKETS: Tickets to the castle cost £5 on admission. GETTING THERE: https://severndroogcastle.org.uk/visit/ Jubilee Line to North Greenwich, then 486 bus, alighting at the Memorial Hospital. Elizabeth line to Woolwich, then 244 bus alighting at Memorial Hospital. Thameslink or DLR to Woolwich Arsenal, then 244 bus alighting at the Memorial Hospital Train to Welling, then a 486 or 89 from bus stop D towards Shooters Hill. Train to Falconwood, then 15-20 minute scenic walk (cross Rochester Way and walk north through Shepherdleas Wood. You will cross the footbridge/meadow and head straight up the hill to the cafe. It is about a 15-to-20 minute hike through the trees.) Car: public car park via the A207 Shooters Hill, postcode SE18 3RU EVENT WHATSAPP GROUP: Please join the event WhatsApp group to help you find the group on the day. The link will be posted in the Event Comments 48 hours before the event, for those on the confirmed going list. NB Joining this WhatsApp group will make your phone number visible to other members in the group. PLEASE READ: LoMAZ events are run by volunteers. This event has an attendee limit as we prefer a smaller, friendlier group. If you RSVP but can no longer attend, please change your RSVP as soon as possible, otherwise you will be marked as a 'no show'. Please see the About Us section for more information about the group and how it works. Thank you for your interest in the group & being part of LoMAZ. 📸 Follow LoMAZ on Instagram. Image credit: Donnchadh H, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons